Eighteen-Eighty-Three

Eighteen-Eighty-Three

Ben Winter

Bellowing;

Shouting and wailing,

A reckless carriage driver on Fifth Avenue.

Glancing;

Noticing and pointing,

A boy tugging his father’s shirtsleeves.

Approaching;

Fumbling and slipping,

He pummels through Sidewalk Slush.

Dodging;

Overcoming and surviving,

He bounces the drunk man’s deathnote.

Singing;

Creating and expressing.

A drunk man full of Christmas Cheer.

Bowing;

Respecting and acknowledging,

A father strokes his child’s outerwear.

Returning;

Stepping and praying,

Ruined—my best Sunday Suit

Disposing;

Throwing and grinning,

Pungent—my breath in fresh, wintry air.